Tag Archive | The Clash

Debbie Harry and Chris Stein of Blondie (1980) By Allan Tannenbaum (All Photos of the Photos By Gail)

Do you like Punk Rock? I sure do. The true spirit of Punk really thrived in cities like London (where it was born), Los Angeles and New York back in the mid-70 to early 80s, before it became a commercial product and fashion statement that was appropriated by Midwest mall kids, and completely lost its teeth. Kill me. Fortunately, all of that great music still exits, and we can also travel back in time to the early days of the mosh pit with amazing photographs of the iconic musicians and style-makers who embodied the Punk credo. The place to see and live through those photos is the Morrison Hotel Gallery.

As the definitive home of Fine Art Rock Photography, Morrison Hotels Gallery has just launched its latest collection, CBGB: The Age of Punk, and it is pretty sweet. I attended the opening reception here in Manhattan on May 17th, and the place was packed wall-to-wall with many of the legendary photographers who shot these photos, such as Bob Gruen, as well as a New York icons Debbie Harry and Chris Stein of Blondie. All of the photos in this post were shot while I maneuvered around a drunken, sweaty horde, so I chose to crop most them and you will just have to guess what they look like all framed and nice. Punk Rock!

New York Dolls (1974) By Bob Gruen

Here’s the Gallery’s Official Blurb about the Collection:

Rooted in 1960s garage rock, punk rock bands rejected perceived excesses of mainstream 1970s rock and CB’s became one of the quintessential locations to perform. Bands had the freedom to experiment and bring their own artistry and social commentary, no matter how depraved and raucous, to audiences hungry for new art, music and freedom of speech.

Chris Stein Being Interviewed at the Opening Reception

Contrary to what the series title would have you believe, not all of the photos were taken at CBGB, or even in New York.

Glenn Danzig of The Misfits, a Band that Got Its Start Playing CBGB

Joan Jett on Stage with The Runaways By Lynn Goldsmith

Patti (1978) By Allan Tannenbaum

As you might expect, there a ton of great shots of Patti Smith, both on stage with PSG, and off stage. She was so photogenic.

Patti and Robert in NYC (1969) By Norman Seef

Here she is with her boyfriend at the time, photographer Robert Mapplethorpe. So hot.

Patti in NYC (1976) by Frank Stefanko

Patti Smith Portrait. Breathtaking.

Sex Pistols in Europe (1977) by Bob Gruen

The first wave British punks get their due as well. I got this shot on the wall behind the open gallery door!

Sid Vicious (1978) By Ebet Roberts

The Clash in NYC (1981) By Bob Gruen

Joe Strummer of The Clash (RIP) looking like a Movie Star.

The Ramones in NYC (1975) By Bob Gruen

And, of course, the Ramones are well- represented, as they should be.

There’s no telling how long this exhibit will be on public view in the gallery, but you can always view the full collection at This Link should you wish to make a purchase. All orders are filled on-demand up the run limit of that series.
Morrison Hotel Gallery is Located at 116 Prince Street, 2nd Floor in SoHo, NYC.

It must have been a while since I walked west on 7th Street towards Avenue A, because today I noticed for the first time that the Joe Strummer Memorial Mural has been restored to the East 7th Street facade of the exterior of Niagara Bar, located at corner of Avenue A and 7th Street. The original mural, created by street artists Dr. REVOLT and Zephyr after Strummer’s death in 2002, was removed in 2013 to facilitate structural repairs to the building. The piece has now been recreated (a little Googling reveals it reappeared in September 2013) by Dr. REVOLT in a similar but still recognizably different style.

On This Date in 1978: The Clash released its fifth single, “(White Man) In Hammersmith Palais.” This song contains my very favorite Clash lyrics, ever: “Turning Rebellion Into Money.” If that isn’t a concise manifesto for Punk Rock – and Rock & Roll in general – I don’t know what is.

On this Date in 1982: The Clash released their nineteenth single, “Straight To Hell” as a double-A side which included “Should I Stay Or Should I Go?” In the U.S., “Should I Stay Or Should I Go?” was the feature track and reached the #45 spot on the singles chart. When “Straight to Hell” was re-released in 1991 with a different B side, it reached the #1 spot in the U.K. “Straight to Hell” is my favorite song by The Clash. Clash vocalist Joe Strummer also starred in the 1987 Alex Cox film Straight To Hell, which took its name from the song.

I’m a big fan and enthusiastic supporter of both rock drummers and practitioners of alternative healing modalities. Personally, my chiropractor saved my sanity, so I was pretty excited today to learn that former Clash Drummer, Terry Chimes has been a professional acupuncturist and Chiropractor since 1996! I’m betting he’s the only Chiropractor in the Rock & Roll Hall Of Fame!